Interior Design Project Workflow

Initial Consultation

The Initial Consultation is where we get to meet you, see your home, and learn more about what you are trying to accomplish.
After the initial consultation, we will develop an estimate for your project which will outline the number of design hours we think it will take to complete your project.
If you like us and the estimate and want to work with us, simply sign the estimate and pay your retainer or deposit and we will begin your project.
Inspiration Images – During the Initial Consultation, you will provide us with inspiration images. These images could be from magazines, catalogs, Houzz, Pinterest, etc.

Once you have signed on with us, your primary designer will work with you to schedule your Kick-Off Meeting.
During the Kick-Off Meeting, we will develop your Project Plan.
The Project Plan gives you an opportunity to identify top priorities within the project and gives us an opportunity to set expectations for the timeline. The project plan helps us keep your project focused and within budget.
When developing the Project Plan during your Kick-Off Meeting, we typically recommend selecting the items that will take the longest to arrive or have the most effect on the rest of the design, first. For example, you should complete most construction work before your new furniture arrives. Likewise, you should select the lounge chair before you select the side table; select the side table before you select the lamp, etc. Artwork and accents (like pillows and decorative bowls) are usually the last thing we incorporate. Don’t worry, we will help you figure out the best plan of attack.

This is the phase where the rubber meets the road. We will begin designing the portion of your home that we agreed to when defining the phases of your project at your Kick-Off Meeting.
Depending on your project, we may develop floor plans and/or design sheets. Our top priority is to give you the best design at a reasonable price. We typically communicate with our digital floor plans and our digital design sheets.
For the majority of our projects, we do not develop physical furniture boards, 3D models or electronic 3D renderings; those take an inordinate amount of time and the pay-off isn’t there for most projects. We are able to provide that service but don’t recommend it.

After your final approval of the design, it is time to start the purchasing of materials.
During this phase, necessary products and merchandise will be purchased by Design Inside, yourself, and any contractors that may be involved with your project.

Once the products and materials have been received and the team responsible for managing the implementation has been engaged, implementation/construction can begin.
This may be as simple as arranging furniture and hanging artwork, or as complicated as building a new kitchen. It all depends on what type of project you have.
Depending on your project size and scope, implementation may be completed by Design Inside, yourself, the contractor(s), or any combination of the three.

Even before the dust starts to fly, management of the project is critical to keeping it on track and on budget. Depending on the size of the project, you may elect to manage the project yourself. However, most customers hire us to manage things.
Design Inside may recommend establishing timelines and payment schedules to motivate the timely completion of your project. We may also help to review work of the contractors, painters, installers, and arrange delivery of furniture and other merchandise during the implementation phase, all in an effort to help things move along smoothly.
During this phase, it is critical to keep an open-line of communication and to inspect the construction as it is progressing. We heavily utilize email, text messaging, cell-phone pics, and phone calls to expedite communication and to maintain the timeliness of you project. Often times, weekly status meetings are required.

Once the dust has settled, the paint has dried, and the last piece of furniture has been moved into place, we will review the project to make sure that you are happy with the final result and come on site to take some photos of the completed project. Our goal is to make sure that we have met or exceeded your expectations and that you are happy with the look and feel of your new home.